The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas on Friday extended the hand of reconciliation to all basketball stakeholders willing to help the sport, and that includes the Basketball Association of the Philippines whose complaints forced the international basketball federation to review its recognition of the SBP.

Led by its president businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the SBP expressed relief that the leadership problem that has hounded the organization is finally behind it after the FIBA reaffirmed its recognition of the Pangilinan group during a meeting held at the FIBA headquarters in Geneva a few days ago.

Though there are certain conditions that must be met such as reports that must be made to FIBA regarding implementation of provisions of previous agreements, the SBP for now is the undisputed local basketball federation.

“I think it’s a significant step forward for Philippine basketball,” said Pangilinan whose five-man team flew to Geneva to make their case in meetings that lasted three days.

The BAP, which triggered the formation of a commission to review RP basketball, did not show up, claiming that visas of their officials were not approved in time.

“It’s a job well done. It’s time to move forward, let's put all these behind us,” Pangilinan said. “But I know it is easier said than done, it might not work out as we want it. But as for the SBP, that’s what we want to do.”

The same opinion was echoed by Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, SBP’s chairman.

“It was a long trip halfway around the globe, but a fruitful one for Philippine basketball. The issues lodged by certain groups have been answered. Now we can move forward. We want to extend to those who want to join the SBP,” Moreno said.

SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, on the other hand, said there are no losers in the resolution of the problem, all are winners.

“Sino ba ang nanalo dito? I think lahat tayo panalo dito,” Vargas said.

“The Powerade team can go to Tianjin (for the FIBA-Asia Championship) after the threat of being suspended by FIBA, the Smart-Gilas and the SBP can continue with its programs after being in temporary jeopardy. Kaya naman pala e without compromising your principles,” he added.

SBP executive director Noli Eala said that the decision of the commission "is final” and not a “conditional decision.”

“These are just merely compliance. These are not conditions for recognition and it’s a simple procedure that we have to follow,” Eala said, referring to the certain terms written by the commission including the FIBA Central Board’s continuous monitoring on basketball issues here.